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the doubling…post； he knows the precise moment at which to pull the
rein； and keeps his eye well on the man in front of him。 I will give
you this certain token which cannot escape your notice。 There is a
stump of a dead tree…oak or pine as it may be… some six feet above the
ground； and not yet rotted away by rain； it stands at the fork of
the road； it has two white stones set one on each side； and there is a
clear course all round it。 It may have been a monument to some one
long since dead； or it may have been used as a doubling…post in days
gone by； now； however； it has been fixed on by Achilles as the mark
round which the chariots shall turn； hug it as close as you can； but
as you stand in your chariot lean over a little to the left； urge on
your right…hand horse with voice and lash； and give him a loose
rein； but let the left…hand horse keep so close in； that the nave of
your wheel shall almost graze the post； but mind the stone； or you
will wound your horses and break your chariot in pieces； which would
be sport for others but confusion for yourself。 Therefore； my dear
son； mind well what you are about； for if you can be first to round
the post there is no chance of any one giving you the goby later；
not even though you had Adrestus's horse Arion behind you horse
which is of divine race… or those of Laomedon； which are the noblest
in this country。〃
When Nestor had made an end of counselling his son he sat down in
his place； and fifth in order Meriones got ready his horses。 They then
all mounted their chariots and cast lots。… Achilles shook the
helmet； and the lot of Antilochus son of Nestor fell out first； next
came that of King Eumelus； and after his； those of Menelaus son of
Atreus and of Meriones。 The last place fell to the lot of Diomed son
of Tydeus； who was the best man of them all。 They took their places in
line； Achilles showed them the doubling…post round which they were
to turn； some way off upon the plain； here he stationed his father's
follower Phoenix as umpire； to note the running； and report truly。
At the same instant they all of them lashed their horses； struck
them with the reins； and shouted at them with all their might。 They
flew full speed over the plain away from the ships； the dust rose from
under them as it were a cloud or whirlwind； and their manes were all
flying in the wind。 At one moment the chariots seemed to touch the
ground； and then again they bounded into the air； the drivers stood
erect； and their hearts beat fast and furious in their lust of
victory。 Each kept calling on his horses； and the horses scoured the
plain amid the clouds of dust that they raised。
It was when they were doing the last part of the course on their way
back towards the sea that their pace was strained to the utmost and it
was seen what each could do。 The horses of the descendant of Pheres
now took the lead； and close behind them came the Trojan stallions
of Diomed。 They seemed as if about to mount Eumelus's chariot； and
he could feel their warm breath on his back and on his broad
shoulders； for their heads were close to him as they flew over the
course。 Diomed would have now passed him； or there would have been a
dead heat； but Phoebus Apollo to spite him made him drop his whip。
Tears of anger fell from his eyes as he saw the mares going on
faster than ever； while his own horses lost ground through his
having no whip。 Minerva saw the trick which Apollo had played the
son of Tydeus； so she brought him his whip and put spirit into his
horses； moreover she went after the son of Admetus in a rage and broke
his yoke for him； the mares went one to one side the course； and the
other to the other； and the pole was broken against the ground。
Eumelus was thrown from his chariot close to the wheel； his elbows；
mouth； and nostrils were all torn； and his forehead was bruised
above his eyebrows； his eyes filled with tears and he could find no
utterance。 But the son of Tydeus turned his horses aside and shot
far ahead； for Minerva put fresh strength into them and covered Diomed
himself with glory。
Menelaus son of Atreus came next behind him； but Antilochus called
to his father's horses。 〃On with you both；〃 he cried； 〃and do your
very utmost。 I do not bid you try to beat the steeds of the son of
Tydeus； for Minerva has put running into them； and has covered
Diomed with glory； but you must overtake the horses of the son of
Atreus and not be left behind； or Aethe who is so fleet will taunt
you。 Why； my good fellows； are you lagging？ I tell you； and it shall
surely be… Nestor will keep neither of you； but will put both of you
to the sword； if we win any the worse a prize through your
carelessness； fly after them at your utmost speed； I will hit on a
plan for passing them in a narrow part of the way； and it shall not
fail me。〃
They feared the rebuke of their master； and for a short space went
quicker。 Presently Antilochus saw a narrow place where the road had
sunk。 The ground was broken； for the winter's rain had gathered and
had worn the road so that the whole place was deepened。 Menelaus was
making towards it so as to get there first； for fear of a foul； but
Antilochus turned his horses out of the way； and followed him a little
on one side。 The son of Atreus was afraid and shouted out；
〃Antilochus； you are driving recklessly； rein in your horses； the road
is too narrow here； it will be wider soon； and you can pass me then；
if you foul my chariot you may bring both of us to a mischief。〃
But Antilochus plied his whip； and drove faster； as though he had
not heard him。 They went side by side for about as far as a young
man can hurl a disc from his shoulder when he is trying his
strength； and then Menelaus's mares drew behind； for he left off
driving for fear the horses should foul one another and upset the
chariots； thus； while pressing on in quest of victory； they might both
come headlong to the ground。 Menelaus then upbraided Antilochus and
said； 〃There is no greater trickster living than you are； go； and
bad luck go with you； the Achaeans say not well that you have
understanding； and come what may you shall not bear away the prize
without sworn protest on my part。〃
Then he called on his horses and said to them； 〃Keep your pace；
and slacken not； the limbs of the other horses will weary sooner
than yours； for they are neither of them young。〃
The horses feared the rebuke of their master； and went faster； so
that they were soon nearly up with the others。
Meanwhile the Achaeans from their seats were watching how the horses
went； as they scoured the plain amid clouds of their own dust。
Idomeneus captain of the Cretans was first to make out the running；
for he was not in the thick of the crowd； but stood on the most
commanding part of the ground。 The driver was a long way off； but
Idomeneus could hear him shouting； and could see the foremost horse
quite plainly… a chestnut with a round white star； like the moon； on
its forehead。 He stood up and said among the Argives； 〃My friends；
princes and counsellors of the Argives； can you see the running as
well as I can？ There seems to be another pair in front now； and
another driv